Summary

This article aims to discuss issues of "Medical tourism" within the European Union countries. The author in his publication presented the trends of medical tourism and considered the cause of this phenomenon. The article makes reference to the history of migration in medical purposes. The role of freedom of movement and freedom to provide services as the base of the economic system of the European Union for the development of medical tourism. The publication presents the basic regulations on this subject in terms of Polish law and European law. The author based on reports and scientific publications tried to in this article to assess after the presentation of both positive and negative effects of this phenomenon, and also provide potential opportunities and threats flowing from it.

Key words: health care, medical tourism, international law, cross-border healthcare.